VLAN configuration is an objective for CCNP SWITCH 642-813 and CCNA 200-120. The following tutorial goes over the objectives:

Implement VLAN based solution, given a network design and a set of requirements (CCNP SWITCH 642-813)
Describe how VLANs create logically separate networks and the need for routing between them (CCNA 200-120)
Configure and verify VLANs (CCNA 200-120)

What is a VLAN?

A VLAN is a layer 2 logical network. Devices on that VLAN are part of the same broadcast domain, meaning any broadcasts sent on that VLAN are sent and received to devices solely on that VLAN. Broadcasts do not transmit to other VLANs.

Configuration

Configuring a VLAN on a Cisco switch is very simple. Enter global configuration mode:

SwitchA(config)# vlan 10
SwitchA(config-vlan)# name SERVERS

We issue the vlan command followed by the VLAN number. In the next line I label VLAN 10 as SERVERS.

To associate a device on VLAN 10 we must enter interface configuration mode for the port that should be in VLAN 10. If a server was on fast ethernet port 15 then I would issue the following commands:

You get very excited once you get your own physical lab of routers and switches going. You just can’t wait to start managing and configuring switchport security, spanning-tree, etc. And then you get tired of having to move the console cable from one switch to the other. And you don’t have the ability to play with your lab remotely. Ugh.

Initially, I was going to buy into some sort of console server. Either utilize an old 2500 router or look at OpenGear. But why not use an RPi which would cost less than $100! That just made me happy. And from there I could access my lab anywhere!